Empowerment - EmBe

EmBe Announces 2021 Tribute to Women Winners

Mikena VanLiere2021-04-15T19:46:00-05:00

(Thursday, April 15, 2021 - Sioux Falls) Eight honorees were selected from nearly fifty nominations on April 15 for EmBe’s 48th Tribute to Women awards. The event was held virtually on EmBe’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Tribute to Women is the longest-standing award honoring the achievements of women in the region. “Tribute lifts the good work being done in the community,” said Jennifer Smith Hoesing, EmBe’s Chief Development Officer. “It has never been more important to shine a light on the people who work to make our community strong and resilient.” Firmly rooted in its foundation as the YWCA’s Leadership [...]

EmBe Announces 2021 Tribute to Women WinnersMikena VanLiere2021-04-15T19:46:00-05:00

Fast Five: Ways to Empower Women in Your Community

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-30T13:08:18-06:00

In 2018, women in South Dakota earned an average 82.7% of the typical weekly earnings made by their male counterparts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women represent half of the US population but more than half the opportunity for growth, according to the US Chamber of Commerce. Empowering women lifts the entire community. When women work, economies grow. Studies by USAID show that if an equal number of women as men participated in the global economy, the global GDP would increase by $12 trillion by 2025. Empowerment comes in all shapes and sizes. Even small actions can [...]

Fast Five: Ways to Empower Women in Your CommunityMikena VanLiere2025-01-30T13:08:18-06:00

‘The love and support is neverending’: A Dress for Success Sioux Falls Story

Mikena VanLiere2020-07-31T08:38:58-05:00

When Amber Metzger came to Dress for Success Sioux Falls, her self-esteem was at an all-time low. “I was used to having everything put together and being good at moving towards success, but life got the better of me and destroyed my spirit,” Metzger said. Dress for Success Sioux Falls staff scheduled an employment suiting for Metzger and prepared her for a job interview. Metzger successfully landed the job. After securing employment, Metzger joined the Tapestry, a networking program for employed women to build skills and gain support throughout a year of employment. Metzger developed close relationships with the women [...]

‘The love and support is neverending’: A Dress for Success Sioux Falls StoryMikena VanLiere2020-07-31T08:38:58-05:00

Paying Empowerment Forward

Mikena VanLiere2020-07-06T13:59:30-05:00

Kaaren Randel is passionate about paying empowerment forward. Decades ago, after a divorce and facing homelessness, Kaaren found encouragement with an organization who provided her with the tools she needed to find success. “They helped me put together a resume, coached me on interviewing, provided me with professional clothing for interviewing, and gave me the support and encouragement I needed to get my family's life together,” she recalled. “Having other women in the same situation helped me realize that I was not alone and there was light at the end of the struggle.” Kaaren says that has motivated her to [...]

Paying Empowerment ForwardMikena VanLiere2020-07-06T13:59:30-05:00

Honoring Erin Bosch

Mikena VanLiere2020-04-22T14:34:18-05:00

Blazing a Trail at EmBe Since 2011 Since 2011, Erin Bosch has been a catalyst for positive change at EmBe. As Executive Director of Women’s Programs, she has led programming that has impacted the lives of hundreds of women in the region, advancing Women’s Leadership Program and Dress for Success Sioux Falls, just to name a few. Today marks the final day of Erin’s tenure at EmBe. Next week she begins a new chapter as a Senior [...]

Honoring Erin BoschMikena VanLiere2020-04-22T14:34:18-05:00

Spinsters Rewind

Mikena VanLiere2020-03-26T11:45:25-05:00

1964 Senior Planners, Lynn James, Jan Lucas, Marcia Muller, Cheryl Ostegaard, Doris Tjaden, Laury Wilson, Becky Smith and Carol Christensen. The EmBe Spinsters Dance is an annual event that develops leadership skills among young people in the community. Participants from Sioux Falls’ high schools gather together to organize and execute a high school dance, all to benefit youth scholarships and programming needs. The Spinsters Dance began in the late 1930s as a “Sadie Hawkins” dance with proceeds benefitting the YWCA (now EmBe). Those who have participated throughout the decades regard Spinsters as iconic and unparalleled for the ways it [...]

Spinsters RewindMikena VanLiere2020-03-26T11:45:25-05:00

EmBe Announces 2020 Women’s Leadership Program Participants

Mikena VanLiere2019-12-09T15:37:44-06:00

Sioux Falls, SD (December 9, 2019) - In preparation for its ninth year, EmBe has accepted 30 participants for the Women’s Leadership Program. Beginning in January, these women embark on a 17-month program with the intent to develop and deliver on a personal development program. Informational sessions, exercise and assessments, a retreat, and a broad range of presenters and panels are all part of the course which is updated annually. In addition to developing a robust personal network with classmates, presenters and mentors, the group benefits from exposure to time-tested tools and techniques that combine insight, introspection and goal setting. [...]

EmBe Announces 2020 Women’s Leadership Program ParticipantsMikena VanLiere2019-12-09T15:37:44-06:00

Shop for a Cause at JuLiana’s Boutique

Mikena VanLiere2019-11-27T15:58:36-06:00

This Giving Tuesday, EmBe is partnering up with a number of organizations to shine a light on empowerment in Sioux Falls and beyond. One partnership is with JuLiana’s Boutique in Downtown Sioux Falls. Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, customers at JuLiana’s will shop for a cause, with 10% of proceeds benefitting EmBe Women’s Programs. “We're excited about working with EmBe to shine a light on women's programs. Working with others and giving back to make our community the best it can be is something we're passionate about,” Co-owner Julie Haagenson said. “Aligning our values and our love for helping [...]

Shop for a Cause at JuLiana’s BoutiqueMikena VanLiere2019-11-27T15:58:36-06:00

Experiencing Nurturing Networks

Mikena VanLiere2019-09-16T17:21:43-05:00

EmBe gathered representatives of nearly a dozen workplace networks to share their insights about women supporting each other at work. These 40 women represented a range of careers, experiences and levels of leadership, ultimately answering a resounding “yes” when asked if additional meetings should be convened. Led by Erin Bosch, Executive Director of Women’s Programming at EmBe, the World Café-style conversation harvested perspectives about the benefits of women networking at work, how it works best, and how women can positively impact the region. Specific tips? 1. Suggest board opportunities to other women – and share their names. 2. Turn to other women [...]

Experiencing Nurturing NetworksMikena VanLiere2019-09-16T17:21:43-05:00

Celebrate International Women’s Day: #YourHourHerPower

Mikena VanLiere2019-03-08T10:21:45-06:00

This International Women's Day, Dress for Success is raising awareness for the services they provide women across the globe. International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world and calls for gender parity. Dress for Success worldwide has answered that call by supporting more than 1 million women on the journey to financial independence. More than 1,500 women have been served free of charge right here at Dress for Success Sioux Falls, a signature program of EmBe. Today Dress for Success Sioux Falls is asking you to donate one hour of your [...]

Celebrate International Women’s Day: #YourHourHerPowerMikena VanLiere2019-03-08T10:21:45-06:00